olympus announced today eight new cameras with a wide range of colors and feature sets, including the ability to fix blurry shots in camera using digital image stabilization edit and perfect shot preview mode, which enables users to preview a variety of shooting situations.

the olympus 790 sw, an update to the 770 sw is waterproof, shockproof, freeze proof, sand and dust proof, and comes in a variety of bright colors. the camera's aluminum body incorporates rubber gaskets and o-rings to seal the interior, and a water-repellant lens to keep shots clear. most of its specs remain the same: a 7.1-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, and a 2.5-inch lcd; but adds face-detection technology with exposure optimization to brighten subjects. the 790 sw also features shadow adjustment technology, which compensates for difficult lighting situations. for action shots, the camera integrates digital image stabilization to boost iso sensitivity and shutter speed for blur-free images. to snap better underwater shots, the camera contains an led illuminator on the front, as well as four preset underwater scene modes and shooting 640-by-480 underwater video with sound at 30 fps.

not quite as rugged as the sw series, olympus' "all weather" line gets a refresh with the super-slim (less than 1-inch thick) stylus 1200, 830 and 820. these cameras feature lightweight metal bodies with rubber gaskets inside to keep out the rain, snow, and sleet. the 1200 model has a 12-megapixel sensor, a 35-105mm equivalent 3x optical lens, and a 2.7-inch lcd. both the stylus 830 and 820 have 8-megapixel sensors and 5x optical zoom with 2.5-and 2.7-inch lcd screens, respectively. the 1200 and 820 feature digital image stabilization, while the 830 boasts dual image stabilization, which combines internal mechanisms to reduce camera shake and digital image stabilization for moving subjects. all three cameras shoot 640-by-480 video at 30 fps.

for superzoom enthusiasts, the compact sp-560 uz features an 8-megapixel image sensor, 18x optical zoom, and a 27mm wide-angle lens. the camera also incorporates full manual and automatic modes and face detection. for action shots, the camera has dual image stabilization, incorporating both mechanical and digital components. the sp-560 uz has a high-resolution 2.5-inch lcd and electronic viewfinder (a tiny lcd that projects a live view of the scene). its burst mode is rated at 15 fps, and according to olympus, the highest burst rate of any compact digital camera. and users need not to worry about missing a crucial shot; the camera automatically saves the last five frames in the buffer memory.

finally, the ultra slim fe-300, fe-290 and fe-280 offer something for everyone, at budget prices. the fe-300, according to olympus, is the slimmest compact camera to provide a 12-megapixel image sensor. it also incorporates face detection, 3x optical zoom, and a 2.5-inch lcd. the 7.1-megapixel fe-290 has 4x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens with a large 3-inch lcd. the fe-280 is available in four colors--red, blue, black and silver--and also features face detection, 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch lcd. all three models offer digital image stabilization, vga-quality video and sound, and a "backlight boost" button to brighten the lcd in direct sunlight or low-light situations. in addition, each model includes a built-in shooting guide and program auto mode, which lets consumers adjust iso and white balance.

all eight cameras support xd cards. the fe-280 ($199.99), fe-290 ($249.99) and fe-300 ($299.99) will be available in august. the stylus 790 sw ($299.99) and stylus 820 ($249.99) ship in september. the stylus 830 ($329.99), stylus 1200 ($349.99) and the sp-560 uz ($449.99) will be available in october.

About the Author

Molly K. McLaughlin is a New York-based writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering technology. She has tested and reviewed all sorts of software, mobile apps, and gadgets. Before launching her freelance business, she was an editor at PC Magazine, covering consumer electronics, followed by a stint at ConsumerSearch.com, a revie... See Full Bio

Get Our Best Stories!

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.